# Understanding the National Day of Awareness Resolution

This resolution asks Congress to officially recognize May 5, 2025, as a "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It's essentially a statement of support that encourages Americans to remember and honor Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been killed, while also calling attention to a serious crisis affecting Native American communities.

The resolution highlights some sobering statistics: according to government data, more than 84 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women experience violence in their lifetime, and Indigenous women are murdered at rates more than 10 times the national average. In 2024 alone, over 5,600 Indigenous women and girls were reported missing. The resolution notes that May 5 was chosen to honor Hanna Harris, a Northern Cheyenne woman who was murdered after going missing in Montana.

Beyond just designating a day, the resolution calls for concrete action. It asks the Department of Justice to commission a new study on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls—the last major study was done in 2016—so the public has current information about how widespread this problem really is. The resolution also encourages Americans and organizations to use this day to remember victims, support their families, and show solidarity with Indigenous communities dealing with these tragedies.

For most Americans, this resolution won't directly change laws or create new programs. Instead, it's a symbolic but important step that raises awareness about a crisis that disproportionately affects Native American communities and acknowledges that despite some progress through existing laws and task forces, much more work remains to be done to protect Indigenous women and girls.

Expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls".

Newhouse, Dan

<p>This resolution expresses support for the designation of a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.</p>